Chaptire Deux: Teamwork
Vicktoriya was starting to understand how the woman with the yellow wallpaper felt. Due to the pep rally, the entire school decided to dip itself in pollen and joy, two things that Vick was allergic to.
As she stood along the wall, barely listening to Misty's lecture as to why she should've been helping out more, she saw Jackie leave the bathroom and head towards Coach Martinez's office. Vick hummed and then faced forward, tapping her casted foot to the rhythm of the song playing. When Taissa walked past her, she gave her a look of acknowledgement that the other girl ignored.
Taissa was one of those people that couldn't care less about Vick being there and for that she was forever grateful towards her.
"Excuse me," Vick muttered as she decided to cut Misty's speech short.
"Remember to meet at my place later!"
"Yeah, of course," the manager carelessly replied, unaware of what she agreed to. She skirted past a dancing Natalie and a nervous Akilah before reaching the doors. She had thought about waiting in the gym for everyone when Coach Scott nearly ran into her.
Her cane fell and he was quick to pick it up, "Sorry, I didn't see you there, Vick."
Vicktoriya didn't respond and simply took it back from him. Just when she thought the brief encounter was over, he asked, "Actually, do you think you get Coach Martinez for me?"
She was going to say no until she saw the eager look on Misty's face. Getting some revenge for her nearly talking her ear off, Vick nodded, "Sure."
When she reached the office, she was reminded that he had called Jackie into his office and decided wait outside...and to listen in.
"I'm going to talk to you like an adult, is that ok with you?" Coach Martinez asked, Vicktoriya rolled her eyes. He said something similar to her when she first started, must be a way for him to 'connect with the youth'.
"Do you know why I made you captain this year?" There was a beat of silence before he continued, "Obviously it isn't because you're our best player. Shauna's faster, Van's got you on footwork by a mile, and Taissa, well, she could have a real future in the sport, maybe Atlanta in '98."
"Is this...a pep talk?" Jackie asked with uncertainty.
"Jackie, you possess something nobody else on this team has: influence." At that, Vick's brows lowered. Sure, she was well known throughout the school but to say that she had influence is nonsensical. Jackie was as influential as a military ad.
"When it gets tough out there, these girls are going to be looking for someone to guide them. Can you handle this?" He asked and Jackie hesitated for a moment. But to no surprise, she answered with delayed assertion, "Don't worry, Coach. I've got this."
Figuring that the conversation was over, Vick pushed herself from off the door, knocked and then opened it. She leaned on the doorknob as she gave them both a weak smile, "Scott is asking for you, Coach."
Coach Martinez raised his brows in amusement when he saw the girl, "I'm surprised you didn't pick petunias over us today."
